US3578083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatus for plugging well bores with hardenable fluent substances
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-12
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Granted: 1971-05-11
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Expires: 1989-11-12
Abstract
Abstract As a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein, a tubular bag is sealingly mounted around an elongated body and operatively arranged to be expanded into engagement with the walls of a well bore by discharging thereinto an initially fluent hardenable substance contained in a selectively operable displacement assembly releasably coupled to the body. Biasing means are operatively arranged for imposing opposed axial forces against the expanded bag to depress the ends of the bag toward one another. In this manner, unbalanced pressure forces acting on the tool will only further urge the bag radially outwardly against the walls of the well bore with an added force for securely anchoring the tool against longitudinal movement until the fluent substance has solidified. In practicing the methods of the present invention, a yieldable enclosed container of a fluent substance capable of setting up into a hardened mass is positioned at a selected location in a well bore with the container being peripherally engaged with the walls of the well bore. Opposed axial forces are applied to the opposite ends of the container to form the container into a generally toroidal configuration. Thereafter configuration. Thereafter, unbalanced pressure differentials acting across the container will be effective for further increasing the pressure of the fluent substance for firmly urging the container outwardly against the walls of the well bore with a correspondingly increasing frictional force to secure the container in position until the fluent material therein has hardened.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A Anderson
- 👤 Nevyl G Owens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:09
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/12; E21B33/127; E21B33/13; E21B33/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluent substance in said yieldable container is also an initially fluent hardenable substance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for plugging a well bore comprising the steps of positioning an enclosed, yieldable container of an initially fluent hardenable substance in a well bore at a selected location therein where the perimeter of said container is engaged with the walls of the well bore; and imposing oppositely directed axial forces on the opposite ends of said yieldable container to depress its said ends inwardly to form said container into a generally toroidal configuration for anchoring said yieldable container against movement by unbalanced pressure forces until said fluent substance confined therein has solidified into a hardened mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 3 further including the step of: discharging an initially fluent hardenable substance into said well bore above said anchored container to form a bridge of said hardenable substance on top of said anchored container which will be supported thereby until said hardenable substances have solidified into hardened masses and plugged said well bore.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for plugging a well bore comprising the steps of: positioning an enclosed, yieldable tubular container at a selected location in a well bore; filling said container with an initially fluent hardenable substance to expand the sides of said container radially outwardly into engagement with the walls of the well bore; and moving the opposite ends of said container axially inwardly toward one another to reform said expanded container into a generally toroidal configuration for anchoring said expanded container against movement by unbalanced pressure forces while said fluent substance confined therein is solidifying into a hardened mass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 5 further including the steps of: discharging an initially fluent hardenable substance into said well bore above said anchored container to form a bridge of said hardenable substance on top of said anchored container which will be supported thereby until said hardenable substances have solidified into hardened masses and plugged said well bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus adapted for plugging a well bore and comprising: an elongated body adapted to be suspended in a well bore; a tubular bag of a flexible material arranged around said body; first and second coupling means respectively secured to the opposite ends of said bag and operatively sealed around said body for defining an enclosed space therearound within said bag, said first coupling means being adapted for longitudinal movement along said body toward said second coupling means; first means including a passage on said body communicating with said enclosed space and adapted for admitting a fluent hardenable substance into said enclosed space to expand said bag outwardly into contact with a well bore wall; and second means including spring biasing means operable upon expansion of said bag for moving said first coupling means along said body toward said second coupling means to depress said bag ends axially inwardly and form said expanded bag into a generally toroidal configuration for anchoring said well bore apparatus in a well bore against movement by unbalanced pressure forces acting thereon as a fluent substance disposed within said expanded bag hardens into a solidiFied mass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first means further include means operable upon the expansion of said bag into contact with a well bore wall for terminating further communication between said passage and said enclosed space to confine a fluent substance therein once said bag is fully expanded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second coupling means are also adapted for longitudinal movement along said body from a first position to a second position toward said first coupling means upon expansion of said bag; said first means further include valve means operable upon movement of said second coupling means for terminating further communication between said passage and said enclosed space to confine a fluent substance therein once said bag is fully expanded; and said second means further include latch means adapted for releasably securing said second coupling means in said second position so that upon movement of said first coupling means by said biasing means toward said second coupling means said bag ends will be depressed axially inwardly toward one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
202 words
Apparatus adapted for plugging a well bore and comprising: an elongated body adapted to be suspended in a well bore; first and second coupling members fluidly sealed around said body and adapted for movement relative to one another between longitudinally spaced positions; a tubular bag of a flexible material arranged around said body and having its opposite ends respectively fluidly sealed to said first and second coupling members for defining an enclosed space therein; selectively operable fluid displacement means coupled to said body and adapted to fill said enclosed space with an initially fluent hardenable substance for expanding said bag outwardly into firm frictional contact with a well bore wall and moving said first and second coupling members relatively toward one another to respectively form said bag ends into a generally hemispherical configuration; and first means operatively arranged on said body for bringing said first and second coupling members relatively closer to one another to respectively reform said bag ends into a generally hemitoroidal configuration so that unbalanced pressure forces acting on either of said bag ends will urge said bag outwardly into firmer frictional contact with a well bore wall while a fluent substance contained therein solidifies into a hardenable mass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including a fluid bypass on said body adapted for providing fluid communication above and below said expanded bag until a fluent substance contained therein solidifies into a hardened mass; and means on said body adapted for closing said fluid bypass after a fluent substance contained in said bag has solidified into a hardened mass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including means operable for uncoupling said fluid displacement means from said body after said enclosed space has been filled by said fluid displacement means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further including a fluid bypass on said body adapted for providing fluid communication above and below said expanded bag until a fluent substance contained therein solidifies into a hardened mass; and means on said body adapted for closing said fluid bypass after a fluent substance contained in said bag has solidified into a hardened mass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first coupling member is slidably mounted on said body; and said first means include biasing means operatively arranged on said body for urging said first coupling member closer to said second coupling member with an axial force sufficient to reform the adjacent end of said bag into its said generally hemitoroidal configuration, and latch means operable for securing said second coupling member to said body at least while said biasing means are urging said first coupling member closer to said second coupling member so that said second coupling member will impose a reaction force a axially against the otHer end of said bag to reform it into its said generally hemitoroidal configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said baising means are comprised of a compression spring having one end engaged with said body and another end adapted for engagement with said first coupling member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
263 words
Apparatus adapted for plugging a well bore and comprising: an upper body and a lower body tandemly coupled to one another and adapted to be supported in a well bore from a suspension cable; upper and lower coupling members fluidly sealed around said lower body and adapted for sliding movement relative to said lower body between longitudinally spaced positions; a tubular bag of a flexible material extended around said lower body and having its upper and lower ends respectively fluidly sealed to said upper and lower coupling members for defining an enclosed space therein; selectively operable fluid displacement means on said upper body and fluidly coupled to said enclosed space for filling said bag with an initially fluent hardenable substance to expand said bag outwardly into firm frictional contact with a well bore wall and respectively form said bag ends into a generally hemispherical configuration as said upper and lower coupling members move relatively toward one another; first means responsive to upward movement of said upper and lower bodies for uncoupling said fluid displacement means from said enclosed space to trap a fluent substance discharged into said enclosed space within said expanded bag; and second means operatively arranged on said lower body for moving said upper and lower coupling members relatively closer to one another to respectively reform said bag ends into a generally hemitoroidal configuration so that unbalanced pressure forces acting on either of said bag ends will urge said bag outwardly into firmer frictional contact with a well bore wall while a fluent substance contained therein solidifies into a hardened mass.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further including third means responsive to further movement of said upper and lower bodies for uncoupling said upper body from said lower body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said second means include first latch means operatively arranged between said upper coupling member and said lower body for securing said upper coupling member against upward movement relative to said lower body once said upper bag end has assumed a generally hemispherical configuration, and biasing means operatively arranged between said lower coupling member and said lower body for urging said lower coupling member toward said upper coupling member once it is secured by said first latch means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first means include a fluid passage between said fluid displacement means and said enclosed space, and valve means operatively arranged between said upper coupling member and said lower body for closing said fluid passage once said upper coupling member is secured by said first latch means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further including third means responsive to further movement of said upper and lower bodies for uncoupling said upper body from said lower body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |